Linnets stopped in their tracks by Bucks after teenager's opener

Runcorn Linnets 1 Bootle 1

Report by Dave Bettley

Linnets spurned an ideal opportunity to consolidate their play-off position after being unable to hold on to a lead.

Results elsewhere meant they they remain in fourth spot while retaining a four-point buffer ove the team in sixth - there are now only three matches to play.

But when 16-year-old Noah Roberts put Runcorn ahead in the 52nd minute of a game short on quality, an important victory beckoned.

Instead, Bootle substitute Lewis Earl was given the freedom of the penalty area to equalise in the 83rd minute as Runcorn switched off at a corner.

The draw suited neither team.

Now trailing third-placed Stalybridge Celtic by five points, Runcorn have it all on to secure a home advantage in the play-offs, although Stalybridge have yet to visit for Runcorn's final home game on Saturday, April 18th.

Outsiders Bootle will struggle to get a top-five at all with seven points - effectively eight with goal difference - to make up and only nine to play for.

Ahead of kick-off, an Easter Monday crowd of 717 joined in an ovation for Louis Washington.

The brother of Linnets defender Harvey Washington, Louis passed away last week.

Harvey, who had been recently unavailable because of Louis's illness, returned to the squad as a substitute.

Brendan O'Brien made his full debut in central defence as skipper Jacques Welsh served a one-match suspension.

Much was at stake for both sides coming into the contest and yet the first half had the feel of an end-of-season affair with no incentive for either.

Neither side put in a shot, let alone on on target, until seconds from the break.

Earl, having replaced injured former Linnets favourite Michael Simpson, tested Yusuf Mersin with a long-range free-kick.

The home 'keeper tipped the effort against the crossbar.

The Bucks struck the woodwork again soon after the break, Courtney Duffus laying the ball off for Ben Hodkinson, so often a thorn in Runcorn's side, to bend a shot against the left upright.

Otherwise, the game continued to meander along until an injection of energy from Sean Miller promised to turn it in favour of the Yellow and Green.

Miller burst into the penalty area on the right and Roberts, cast in the role of supporting striker to Ryan Brooke on the latter's 200th club appearance, was waiting in the middle to ram the ball home.

However, Runcorn were unable to find a second goal, which would probably have taken the game away from the visitors.

Linnets old boy Jay Roberts and Joe Ferguson were driving their team forward from right back with the former revelling in the space he was being allowed.

Bootle committed four men to attack in an effort to save the match and got their reward seven minutes from time.

A lapse in concentration by an otherwise diligent home defence allowed Earl room to lash home from beyond the far post.

Now scenting victory, Bootle threatened to make things worse for Linnets. But Duffus couldn't find the target with a couple of headers.

Runcorn top scorer Scott Bakkor, on as a substitute after missing Good Friday's victory at Trafford, was contentiously pulled up by the referee's whistle late on - a foul being awarded against the striker as he sped clear.

There was more controversy in the last knockings when Ferguson was adjudged to have impeded Bucks' keeper Thompson as they challenged for a bouncing ball on the right of the area.

After a second Bank Holiday draw between the teams this season - this being only slightly more entertaining than Boxing Day's goalless deadlock at Bootle - next stop for Runcorn is at Kidsgrove Athletic on Saturday for their penultimate away match.

Runcorn Linnets: Yusuf Mersin, Joe Ferguson, Matty Rain, Brendan O'Brien, Peter Wylie, Steven Irwin, Naim Arsan (Markell Foulds, 83 mins), Isaac Graham, Ryan Brooke (Lewis Crane, 79 mins Sean Miller (Harry McGuire, 83 mins), Noah Roberts (Scott Bakkor, 66 mins). Sub (not used): Harvey Washington.

Attendance: 717.